The South African theatre community recently
celebrated the Take a Child to the
Theatre Today 2013 campaign which encourages youngsters to become audiences
for theatre.
The World Day for Theatre for Children and
Young People is celebrated annually by ASSITEJ centres from across the globe on
March 20. This international association of theatre for children and young
people (active in almost 90 countries) and its partners are working together to
unite theatres across the world in conveying one message: “Take a child to the
theatre today”.
Michael Morpurgo, the third Children’s
Laureate, is the writer of this year’s World Day Message to inspire all to join
the campaign. He is the writer of numerous children’s books, including War Horse which has been powerfully
translated to the stage in a visionary collaboration with South African
Handspring Puppet Company.
In South Africa the campaign is
particularly vital given that the majority of children do not have access to
theatre.
Yvette Hardie, Director of ASSITEJ SA and
President of ASSITEJ International, explains: “Giving children an opportunity
to dream, to imagine other possibilities for their lives, to engage with and
empathise with people and situations from very different walks of life to their
own, is an important gift every child deserves to receive. Clem Sunter has
described one of the ten most fundamental aspects of the 21st century as being
that we have moved from the Age of Knowledge to the Age of Intelligence. This
means teaching children not knowledge but cognitive skills, and one of the most
powerful ways of doing this is through theatre.”
Emerging and established theatres and
theatre companies across the country were encouraged to join hands and reach
out to new audiences in community halls, schools, professional theatres and
site specific venues.
ASSITEJ South Africa is generously
supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and the National Arts
Council of South Africa. Other donors include Distell, Pro-Helvetia, Arts and
Culture Trust in association with Nedbank Arts Affinity, The Western Cape
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Tullow South Africa (Pty) Ltd as well
as Metropolitan Health.
For more information contact Themba Mzondi,
ASSITEJ SA Marketing and Fundraising Manager 021 822 0070/1/2 or e-mail fundmarket@assitej.org.za
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